Moving Forward and Facing The Future IN THE BLACK CHURCH WORSHIP EXPERIENCE
Nov 1, 2016 General Baptist State Convention of NC Durham, NC Dr. Antonia Arnold-McFarland
Introduction
Toni Arnold-McFarland - Music Ministry Strategist, Scholar of African American Worship
keyboardist, vocalist, song writer
Married to Tony McFarland, Sr
Reside in Raleigh, NC
Oak City Baptist Church, Music Director
Co-founder of Blessed Union, The Group
Adjunct Professor – Eastern Carolina Christian College and Seminary
John Deere: Enterprise Strategic Quality / Six Sigma Master Process Pro/Project Leader/Engineer
Doctor of Ministry, Creative Arts Graduate Theological Foundation, Mishawaka, Indiana
MBA, University of Phoenix, Raleigh, NC
BS Mechanical Engr/Minor African-American Studies NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Moving Forward and Facing the Future in the Black Church Worship Experience Seminar Description
The music and worship ministry plays a vital role in corporate worship.
Advance planning and ongoing development is critical to ensure spiritual nourishment and effectiveness of all participants.
This seminar is a discussion on practical and strategic steps to help the Music and Worship Arts Ministry learn from our past, realize our present state and plan for the future.
The Black Church offers a rich heritage in sacred music that requires special attention, as it evolves to modern worship practices.
Agenda Past
Gospel Music One Sound Project research
High level overview of historical landscape of African American Worship
Present
What is the current state of music ministry in the Black Church?
What gaps exist today?
Future
How do we face our future?
Questions / Discussion
SWOT Analysis Activity
Next Steps / Conclusion
Gospel Music One Sound Project A LEARNING AND WORSHIP EXPERIENCE
Gospel Music One Sound Project doctoral work: Evolution of the African American Worship Experience
Ongoing initiative focused on renewing purpose in ministry and industry for African American Worship
The aim is to achieve the ultimate worship experience demonstrated in 2 Chronicles 5:13 – 14.
The hope of this project is to bring the church music ministry and the gospel music industry to one accord, ONE SOUND, spiritually and in the natural (technically and physically) for Kingdom building.
Vision of Ultimate Worship ď ľ2
Chronicles 5:13-14
ď ľ 13 indeed
New King James Version
it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying:
Vision of Ultimate Worship 2
Chronicles 5:13-14 New King James Version
“For
He is good, For His mercy endures forever,”[a]
that
the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, 14 so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.
Three VENUES For WORSHIP
church Music
community
Industry African American Worship
Main Line Churches of Today
in research on The Black Church (W.E.B. Dubois)
African Methodist Episcopal Church (A.M.E.)
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (A.M.E.Z.)
Christian Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E, formerly Colored Methodist Episcopal)
The National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Incorporated (N.B.C)
The National Baptist Convention of America, Unincorporated (N.B.C.A.)
The Progressive National Baptist Convention (P.N.B.C.)
The Church of God in Christ (C.O.G.I.C.) – later added
Gospel Music Definition A body of urban religious music, which came into use in black and white fundamentalist type churches.
Gospel Music = blues + Anglo Saxton Protestant Hymns Early singing in this style is call and response, highly participatory, simple and repetitive.
Music that Compels, Convicts, Converts and Changes (L.S. Davis)
What can we learn from our past?
Historical Trace of evolution of gospel music in African American Worship 1619 -1900
1900s - 1920
1920s – 1930/ 1930 - 1945
• Pre/Post Emancipation • First Black congregations Bapt/AME 1770s • COGIC -1900 • Ditties, Hollers, Spirituals
• Educational Empowerment • Negro Spirituals • Anthems
• Harlem Renaissance • Gospel Hymns • Birth of Gospel (1930)
The music of our worship evolved in parallel with the changing social climate
Historical Trace of evolution of gospel music in African American Worship 1945 – 1960’s / 19601967 •Post WWII •Golden Age •Modern Traditional
1960s- 1970s
1980s – 2000
2000 - Today •Civil Rights Movement/Black Liberation •Modern Contemporary
•Economic Empowerment •Millennium/Digital Age / Terrorism/ Natural Disasters/ Black Lives Matter •Contemporary •Emerging Trends in the Millennium
The music of our worship evolved in parallel with the changing social climate
What is our present state?
Assessment of the situation
Nov 2015 Gospel Music One Sound Project Collection of Quantitative Data
Surveys
Facebook Discussion
Interviews
Research (Articles/Books)
Compiled in Quick Reference Guide – available for purchase
Future Book
Two Survey Instruments
Music Ministry Development
(17 questions)
Pre Test / Post Test / Gospel Music One Sound
25 – 30 Participants
Raleigh – Durham Area
African American Churches
Music Ministry Leaders/ Pastors/Ministers
Churches of 300 members or less
Q10: What challenges hinder the growth of your
music ministry/worship arts? Check all that apply.
Q10: What challenges hinder the growth of your music ministry/worship arts? Check all that apply.
Oct 2016 Interviews
Concerns today, as you face the future (5- 10 years) Talent Spiritual Growth
Repertoire Youth/Young Adults Budget Vision / Strategy
•Growing gap in talent/capability of choir to sing current music from the gospel music industry •Staff needs ongoing development / Need audio and media support •No space for other art forms in worship
•Deficiency in spiritual understanding of role and purpose in music ministry (choir, praise team, staff) •Choir members are not open to change and resist growth
•Need more diverse appeal and balance in style of music •Rich heritage of hymns, spirituals, note singing is becoming obsolete •The message in the music is not always scripturally sound •Youth choir is losing interest and lack motivation / youth want their own style in praising God and want to be more youthful •Young Adults lack interest in traditional worship/ they need relevance
•No budget for growing demands to support the church growth •No investment in seminars / training
•Minister of Music is not empowered to pace change and growth •Lack of structured planning for music ministry •No succession planning
How do we face our future?
Steps to facing the future
First, face the situation today. Collect insight via focus groups, discussion, surveys and observations
Document, analyze and prioritize gaps (SWOT Analysis, Scenario planning, and related tools)
Move forward on low effort/high impact opportunities
Write the vision, make it plain. Structure a strategy for growth, with an action plan and best practices
Communicate the improvement plan and timeline for upcoming changes
Example - Path to Future State
June 2017 Key Deliverables completed Jan – May 2017 Apply Gap closures towards vision Dec 2016 Mediocre Worship - Congregation observes - Youth interest is lost
- Find simpler Praise and worship songs - Put regular youth dialogue in place
Items in place: Regular Participatory worship Monthly Joy Night in place for summer months.
It attracts youth / young adults
The Future Outlook
Conquer the Digital Divide / Socio - economic challenges
Music Ministry is evolving to Music and Worship Arts.
Production includes Media, Projection, Video, Lighting, Audio
Liturgical Dance / Dance Teams / Mime / Drama / Fine Arts
Music must deliver well via Livestream Apps / Website
Address urban issues with songs/worship arts that scripturally speak to these needs.
Creatively use worship time to cater to youth/ young adults.
Use technology to expedite learning and development. Education the choir on how to use it.
Delegate music ministry needs to volunteer support
Document processes to streamline planning and execution
Research Best Practices via resources
Quick Reference Guide available on issuu.com , search Gospel Music One Sound
Leadership / Strategic Planning and Execution (Short/Long Term)
Commitment/Engagement
Effectiveness of Equipment , Audio and Sound
Spiritual Maturity
Preparation, Repertoire, Training and Awareness
Items above reference applicable scriptures
Resources for Solutions
Issuu.com – Gospel Music One Sound
Today’s presentation – Facing Our Future
Dissertation – Gospel Music One Sound Project
Quick Reference Guide – Limited Hardcopies available / Book in 2017
Consulting Services– guide, pace or drive change / curriculum based training
Strategy planning- Short Term/Long Term, Technical Training services
Literature/Books
Readings in African American Church Music and Worship – James Abbington
Is your Music Dept Ministry or Misery? – Steven Ford
The Ministry of Music In The Black Church – Dr. J. Wendell Mapson
GIA Publications Hymnals- Total Praise, African American Heritage Hymnal
Questions? OPEN DISCUSSION ON ISSUES
SWOT Analysis Template STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
OPPORTUNITIES
THREATS
Action Plan / Next Steps WEAKNESSES (strengthen these items to close gaps)
WHAT ACTION IS NEEDED?
WHO IS ASSIGNED THIS TASK?
TARGET COMPLETION DATE
Special Thanks
Rev. Dr. Haywood T. Gray – General Baptist State Convention of NC
Rev. Dr William T. Newkirk – Oak City Baptist Church
Mr. John Riddick – 421 Studios - AV Tech Support / Publishing Coach
Seminar Facilitation Assistants – Tabitha Archibald, Choir Directress
Contact Info
Dr. Toni Arnold-McFarland
Music Ministry Consultant
919-632-0927 cell
919-576-0051 (google voice)
eflatmajor@bellsouth.net
Facebook – Toni Arnold-McFarland / Gospel Music One Sound Project
LinkedIn – Antonia Arnold-McFarland
Issuu.com